Rental Management

Solutions for Investors

River Park Glen is a unique property where the majority of units are owned by investors. On-Site Solutions not only manages the Condominium Corporation but also handles the rental management for most units. If you’ve purchased your unit as an investment, you have two options under our management: enrolling in the All-Inclusive Rental Pool or choosing Traditional Property Management.


All-Inclusive Rental Pool

Most investors at River Park Glen choose the All-Inclusive Rental Pool, which has provided a safe, cost-effective, and convenient way to invest for over 25 years.

In this pool, all participating units are treated as part of a single financial portfolio. The revenue and expenses are pooled, and each month, the net operating income (cash flow) is calculated by subtracting the expenses from the total revenue. Investors receive a share of the cash flow based on the type of unit they own. Cash flow distributions are sent out monthly along with detailed financial reports.

This option is ideal for conservative investors, as it spreads the risk and costs associated with rental properties over hundreds of units. Except for your property taxes and condo fees, everything else – including renovations – is covered. Even if your unit is vacant, you’ll still receive a share of the rental pool’s income. This offers stable cash flow, reduced risks, and a hassle free experience.


Traditional Management

Traditional Management offers more control and potentially higher cash flow for investors who are willing to accept greater volatility and risk. Unlike the All-Inclusive Rental Pool where all expenses are pooled and shared, with Traditional Management, only the administrative costs are shared with the rest of our clients at River Park Glen. Rental income and expenses are handled unit-by-unit. When your unit is rented, you have the opportunity for maximum cash flow based on market conditions. However, when the unit is vacant, you won’t receive income and must cover operating expenses yourself.

Owners opting for this route must maintain a $3,000 reserve fund to cover expenses over and above the rental revenue. If the fund drops below $3,000, future cash flow will be used to replenish it. To enroll in this option, your unit must meet certain maintenance standards designed to ensure there are no major maintenance expenses expected in the near future. If it doesn’t meet these standards, we can repair or renovate the unit for you at cost.


Which Option is Right for You?

The best choice depends on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and available capital. The All-Inclusive Pool offers steady cash flow even when your unit is vacant. This makes it convenient for investors seeking a passive investment with stable income and minimal risks. In contrast, Traditional Management may provide higher cash flow, but only when your unit is rented, and you will be responsible for all expenses. As such, Traditional Management may be better for investors seeking higher returns and more control, but with greater risk and responsibility.

The chart below compares the pros and cons of both options. For a more detailed description, hover your mouse over any of the terms below.

The chart below compares the pros and cons of both options. For a more detailed description, click on any of the terms below.

All-Inclusive Pool
Traditional Management
Cash Flow:
Monthly
When Rented
Management Fee:
5%
7.5%
Reserve Fund:
N/A
$3,000
Risk:
Lower
Higher
Administrative Costs:
Pooled
Included
Insurance Premiums:
Pooled
You Pay
Insurance Deductibles:
Pooled
You Pay
Routine Maintenance:
Pooled
You Pay
Upgrades and Renovations:
Pooled
You Pay
Evictions and Legal Costs:
Pooled
You Pay
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water):
Pooled
You Pay
Wages:
Pooled
You Pay
Condominium Fees:
You Pay
You Pay
Property Tax:
You Pay
You Pay
On-Location Management:
Yes
Yes
24-7 Emergency Response:
Yes
Yes
Financial Reports:
Monthly
Monthly
Tax Reports:
Annually
Annually


Our Renovation Process

We offer one type of renovation package. It uses the same materials and follows the same general process every time. This allows us to complete renovations very efficiently. It usually involves conducting preventative maintenance on all plumbing and heating systems, as needed, repairing or replacing fixtures like light fixtures, switches, outlets, ceiling fans, smoke detectors, appliances, cabinets and countertops, conducting preventative maintenance behind shower surrounds then tiling, adding tile backsplashes to the kitchen, replacing the flooring from worn carpet or linoleum to luxury vinyl plank, installing new baseboards and trim, and giving the unit a full paint. We use durable, rental friendly materials, and a clean, modern design (examples below).

Based on independent appraisals, our renovations are shown to increase the appraised property value by approximately $25,000 on costs well below that, resulting in a strong return on investment for our clients. These renovated units rent for a premium (typically 20% to 30% more) and often attract a higher caliber of tenant; which is good for you and good for the River Park Glen community. For an interactive 3D tour of an example unit, click the button below. You can click on the camera icons to see before photos of each room as well as a description of the renovations.

 
Why Repair my Unit?

Leaving a unit in poor condition to save money often leads to costly problems down the road and will severely limit the quality of tenant you will be able to find. Deferring maintenance is a risky strategy which often costs more over the long-term. Investing in regular preventative maintenance and renovations so that you can avoid emergency repairs and attract higher-quality tenants is the best way to protect your investment.

 

 

Can I Self-Manage?

Managing on your own can be a viable strategy if you live close by, have experience managing properties, and the time to commit to it. Please review the considerations below. By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risks and better manage your rental property for long-term success. 

Account for Vacancies:
In 2023 and 2024, the average vacancy in Fort McMurray and area was 9.1% and 10.4%.1 What vacancy rate are you using to forecast your income?
Routine Maintenance:
Routine maintenance costs vary significantly, and there are several ‘rules of thumb’ for budgeting. Annual costs may often be $1 to $3 per ft2. That is $50 to $150 per month for a 600 ft² unit. What is your budget for routine maintenance?
Updgrades & Renovations:
Major components (like flooring or furnaces) typically need replacement every 7 to 15 years. Depending on the unit’s size and condition, such costs could add up to tens of thousands of dollars. How much are you budgeting for the next 10 years?
Property Damage:
One bad tenancy can significantly damage your unit. Alberta law strongly protects tenants, making full cost recovery of property damage unlikely. Do you have enough capital to cover lost rent, deductibles, and non-insured repairs?
Property Insurance:
Insure your property beyond the Standard Insurable Unit Description (SIUD) and include sufficient coverage for the $50,000 deductible which you may be charged by the Condominium Corporation if a loss originates from your unit.
Tenant Insurance:
Ensure that your tenant gets (and maintains) a Tenant Insurance policy with at least $2,000,000 in third party liability coverage and which insures their personal property against damage or loss caused by fire, water, theft, and any other perils.
Tenant Screening:
Run credit checks and verify the income of all potential tenants to ensure that they are low-risk and can meet rent payments.
Know the Law:
Alberta law has many protections for tenants. Familiarize yourself with the Residential Tenancies Act to avoid legal complications.
Know the Bylaws:
If your tenant violates the Condominium's Bylaws you (not the tenant) must pay the associated penalties. Charging this back to a tenant is not always easy. You can mitigate this risk by educating your tenants on the Bylaws before they move-in.
Know the Regulations:
A person who manages property on behalf of the property’s owner requires a licence from the Real Estate Council of Alberta (RECA). If you decide to self manage, be careful to ensure that you aren’t inadvertently engaging an unlicensed person or corporation to conduct activities which require a license.


Why On-Site Solutions?

On-Site Solutions isn’t your standard real estate brokerage. We were founded over 30 years ago to provide specialized management for group property investments across western Canada. Our deep expertise in managing large multifamily investment properties with numerous stakeholders, allows us to deliver a full-service solution with sophisticated risk mitigation and financial management.

By partnering with On-Site Solutions, you benefit from a team of on-location professionals at River Park Glen who handle everything from leasing, to parking, to bylaw, to emergency repairs. Our on-location team ensures that day-to-day management is convenient for your tenants, and problem-free for you.

Moreover, each member of On-Site’s senior management team is a unit owner at River Park Glen, meaning we are personally invested in its success of the community and are with our clients every step of the way! 

 

How do I Get Started?

We offer a complimentary inspection of your unit to evaluate its condition and eligibility. After the inspection, you’ll receive a detailed report summarizing our findings and recommendations. This free and there is no obligation to proceed.

To schedule, please contact us. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.